So, going on a 60+ mile hike on the SHT (Superior Hiking Trail) and wondering who here has used the pocket rocket?

I feel like this is my most lightweight option. I've done the Alcohol stove, but want something slightly more reliable. So PR came to mind.

I've NEVER used this kind of stove. Can I remove the Pocket Rocket attachment from my fuel source at night and through my hike and re-attach or once i'm attached I have to stay attached until my (fuel) canister is empty?

Thanks.

Usually I use a Biolite stove or my hike mate just cooks on the fire grate.

Rocket works good. Can be removed whenever necessary. Can be left on can all night and removed after breakfast or remove after each use. Only drawback is wind. I tend to use white gas or fire when paddling, but I carry a Pocket Rocket in my car for making coffee on the road. Have never had an issue with it and I use it a lot.

Hmmm, as far as wanting something more reliable, here is my experience with the PR:
My brother had an older version of this stove, but same set-up. We took it to Isle Royale. I also brought along the trusty old popcan stove "just in case". In case of what, you ask? Wind (it was very windy on the Minong ridge), and stove failure (it fell over and the on-off valve snapped off, which he had replaced for free through MSR). So we ended up using the alcohol stove for the majority of the water boils. Pros: PR was really lightweight and compact. The gas canister was lightweight. Cons: elevated design = wind issues even with a screen and tippy even on the gas canister. The gas canister was kind of bulky. It was a neat little stove, but that was my experience on that week-long hike.

Through the years, the popcan stove I bring has born its share of sneers, grunts and outright guffaws....until the gas stoves fail or break or aren't primed correctly or run out of gas because they incorrectly estimated the amount of fuel, etc. I call it Rudolph because it is consistently bullied in the camp kitchen and excluded from all the reindeer games until the conditions get rough, then it is needed. :) It isn't perfect (alcohol spillage, weight of the alcohol, +/- longer boil times, care with the flame) but it has repeatedly saved the day when the gas stoves get over-primed or fail to work.

Hope you have a terrific trip! Would love to hear the "hoof report" (as opposed to a "paddle" report).
~JP

stove
i had the rocket, burns fast and hot, sold it got the snow peak, better control, simmering, smaller and not as tall, if that matters to you.
snow peak is backup to my alcohol stove.

We use the Rocket, I've never had a problems.

I would recommend getting the MSR Universal Fuel Canister Stand. It's about $15, and gives your fuel canister three "legs", and a much more stable cooking platform.

We’ve used it successfully for years. We use a little light wire collapsible grate to put our pots on. Only issue we ever had was in a cold shoulder season trip where we brought the wrong gas and the stove wouldn’t burn hot enough.

Small to pack, light weight, fast boiling, great adjustment on my original version. It can be unstable especially with 4 ounce canisters, use a canister support base. A 3/4 coverage windscreen will prevent heat loss and blowout but never enclose the operating stove which may overheat the canister and "boom". use small diameter pots 4 1/2 inches or less if possible, small flame front. Stove and fuel canister can fit inside many 1 liter/quart pots. Intense center heat potential for burned pot contents.
One of a bunch of test vids I have boiling 16 ounces water in 1 liter pot PR boil test Windscreen I like folding panel windscreen Kanoes (RIP), would just use a piece of foam pad and 2 stakes to make a screen, worked very well and doubles as a siting pad.

butthead

Another thumbs-up for the pocket rocket.
For paddle trips my primary heat source is wood, but always have a backup. Lately it's been the PR. Used primarily in the mornings for a fast pot of coffee. Never had it tip over yet. Never had an issue with it. I have confidence in it working when I need it.

Of the dozen stoves I own, my Mirco-Rocket (Comparable to Pocket Rocket 2) is my favorite.

I remove the stove frome the canister anytime it is not in use.

Lindsey - if you're looking for a system set-up, have you looked at the MiniMo (Jetboil)?
Maybe not what you're looking for, but we brought that one on a trip in June.

MiniMo

Used one exclusively 2 years ago on an 11 day Hunter's Island solo. No issues at all. Used again last year on a week-long tandem with my wife, and again, no issues at all. If heating water is all you need to do, go for it! I did pack a windscreen as Ken mentioned. Other than that, great little stove.

Be mentally prepared to see a whole lot of day hikers, although it might depend on where you are. I hiked a portion of the trail 15 years ago and was shocked to count 60 people walk by my site, vast majority day hikers. Water supply was also a concern in some areas.

I have used the PR for years without a problem. Love that little gizmo. I usually just use it for coffee and hot water, rarely use it for cooking so have never needed a stand. I use wood to cook.

I have not used the Pocket Rocket per se, but have used other canister stoves just like it for at least a dozen years. I currently still use a Jetboil similar to what was mentioned, which I've been using for at least 8 years. Before that I used a pop can alcohol stove, as well as a white gas stove.

Canister stoves are very light, simple, quick, and easy to use - screw it on the canister, light, use, turn off, unscrew. They require little maintenance. Just test the stove and fuel canister before the trip. There is no liquid fuel to spill. Wind and stability are the main issues to deal with as mentioned. I used My Jetboil is windproof enough as configured that I don't need a windscreen. I used one like butthead linked with the others. A canister stand is included in the system and that along with the fact that the pot fits in and attaches to the flux ring makes it much more stable. The stand, a small canister, and the stove fits inside the small pot for compactness. Another advantage over the alcohol stoves is the ability to use during a fire ban.

The Pocket Rocket is a good little stove to boil water with. It is pretty sensitive to wind and even a slight breeze will inhibit the flame. That said, it's pretty light for what it is. I bring one on my BWCA trips in case my main stove (Windpro II) fails. I think they're worth the money but there are better options, for more money. As others have said, get a 3-point stand for your fuel canister.

I have used a PR and a previous canister stove for about 15 years. Wind can be an issue in some areas, but getting 10 yards into the woods with a strategic placement has always been enough to alleviate wind issues. I mostly boil water with it, but I also find that it has better temperature control than cooking on the fire grate with our small “backpacking” skillet. Mostly frying fish. The fuel canisters are expensive, but I don’t get out enough to worry about it or buy something new. In summary, I like it and don’t plan to replace it anytime soon.

I also have the fuel cam stand from the previous stove, but I don’t even bring the stand. I just twist the canister into the dirt until I’m satisfied with the level and stability. I do keep one hand on the fry pan handle, but that is mostly to keep rotating the pan to spread the heat.

I've used the Pocket Rocket as well as the Pocket Rocket 2. The 2 had better control of flame. I use the PR2 as well as a twig stove "depending". I'd buy it again.

Of note, the newest PocketRocket, the PocketRocket Deluxe, has an entirely different burner design from prior models. I'd be interested to learn how this newest version compares to prior models. The price is signifcantly higher than previous versions as well. I have spent a lot for stoves but, $70 for a PocketRocket causes a hitch in my spending motion.

OCDave: "Of the dozen stoves I own, my Mirco-Rocket (Comparable to Pocket Rocket 2) is my favorite.


I remove the stove frome the canister anytime it is not in use. "

+1 - Micro rocket is great. If you're using it for boiling it is a more compact and lighter version than my second choice, jetboil, just not as quick to boil or easy to handle. Its my choice when I use y 35liter drybag backpack for SHT trips.

Picked up the Pocket Rocket 2, and tested it out this weekend.

I. Love. It.

Oh my gosh! Best stove ever. I have an IMUSA #10 pot to go with it and I have boiled water in 2 minutes. I'm obsessed, and so impressed!

See ya later Biolite stove!

Aren't canister stoves so simple, easy, and fast . . . ? :)

MN_Lindsey: "Picked up the Pocket Rocket 2, and tested it out this weekend.


I. Love. It.


Oh my gosh! Best stove ever. I have an IMUSA #10 pot to go with it and I have boiled water in 2 minutes. I'm obsessed, and so impressed!


See ya later Biolite stove!"

Nice to hear that you have found "your stove" It is always difficult to recommend one because our needs are so different. The only bad experience I have with canister stoves is related to the canister's valve. twice they had been leaking when I take off the burner, so the solution was just to keep it on, no big problem. Once it came nothing out, the valve did not work properly, when i took a needle and pressed on the valve it worked, so the distance down to the valve was longer then the stoves could reach. Always test before the trip. I had to do a dirty trick, a small stone in the valve opening. I got it working, but could not remove the burner from the canister before it was empty.

After many years with stoves: The firt 15, kerosine was my favorite, now white-gas and canisters depending on what use and how cold it is.

Gratings from Norway
dsk

My PR2 saved our butts on our last trip when the Whisperlite valve went bad. It's so small and light that it's a no-brainer.

We will definitely still use the Biolite stove, but I'll find myself reaching for the PR2 more often.